AuNP/MIL-88B-NH2 Nanocomposite for the Valorization of Nitroarene by Green Catalytic Hydrogenation.

The efficiency of a catalytic process is assessed based on conversion, yield, and time effectiveness. However, these parameters are insufficient for evaluating environmentally sustainable research. As the world is urged to shift towards green catalysis, additional factors such as reaction media, raw material availability, sustainability, waste minimization and catalyst biosafety, need to be considered to accurately determine the efficacy and sustainability of the process. By combining the high porosity and versatility of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and the activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), efficient, cyclable and biosafe composite catalysts can be achieved. Thus, a composite based on AuNPs and the nanometric flexible porous iron(III) aminoterephthalate MIL-88B-NH2 was successfully synthesized and fully characterized. This nanocomposite was tested as catalyst in the reduction of nitroarenes, which were identified as anthropogenic water pollutants, reaching cyclable high conversion rates at short times for different nitroarenes. Both synthesis and catalytic reactions were performed using green conditions, and even further tested in a time-optimizing one-pot synthesis and catalysis experiment. The sustainability and environmental impact of the catalytic conditions were assessed by green metrics. Thus, this study provides an easily implementable synthesis, and efficient catalysis, while minimizing the environmental and health impact of the process.

Advances in plasmonic-based MOF composites, their bio-applications, and perspectives in this field.

INTRODUCTION: Nanomaterials have been used for bio-applications since the late twentieth century. In an attempt to tailor and optimize their properties, and by extension their efficiency, composites have attracted considerable attention. In this regard, recent studies on plasmonic nanoparticles and metal-organic framework (NP@MOF) composites suggest that these materials show great promise in this field. AREAS COVERED: This review focused on the more recent scientific advances in the synthetic strategies to optimize plasmonic MOF nanocomposites currently available, as well as their bio-application, particularly as biosensors and in therapy. EXPERT OPINION: Plasmonic MOF nanocomposites have shown a great potential as they combine the properties of both materials with proven efficiency in bio-application. On the one hand, nanoMOFs have proven their potential particularly as drug nanocarriers, owing to their exceptional porosity and tunability. On the other hand, plasmonic nanoparticles have been an asset for imaging and phototherapy. Different strategies have been reported to develop these nanocomposites, mainly including core-shell, encapsulation, and in situ reduction. In addition, advanced composite structures should be considered, such as mixed metal nanoparticles, hollow structures, or the combination of several approaches. Specifically, plasmonic MOF nanocomposites prove to be attractive stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, phototherapeutic agents, and highly sensitive biosensors. [Figure: see text].